Kitchen, bathroom remodeling in demand

The kitchen is in.

The vacation home? Not so much.

The latest Home Design Trends Survey from the American Institute of Architects shows homeowners taking a practical approach to designing and updating their homes.

It's kind of back to basics here, said Kermit Baker, the chief economist for the AIA and a professor at Harvard University.

Residential architects across the country are reporting that business is picking up, and that there's a strong demand for renovation and remodeling.

And so far, kitchens and bathrooms rule the roost, according to the survey.

If you're thinking about what sells homes, it's a sensible place to put money, Baker said. The rooms that get the most attention in terms of elements when you're building or remodeling are the kitchens and the bathrooms. We didn't see a lot of downsizing there during the recession. There hasn't really been a square footage loss.

In and out

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Kitchen, bathroom remodeling in demand